PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO WOMEN GRADUATES-USA, INC. BYLAWS
OCTOBER 13 – 14, 2017 AGM
Article IV. Membership – 2. Delete present items b. and c. and insert:
new “b. Not withstanding any requirement to 2. a., all women who have been accepted for a master’s or doctoral program at a recognized tertiary institution are eligible for WG-USA membership.”
Rationale: This is the requirement for membership from the GWI 2016 Constitution. As an NFA of that organization our Bylaws need to be in conformity.
Article V. Rights and Obligations of Members, 1. e. – Delete the words “ To propose, oppose, and to be informed of any activities, work or decisions of the organization; and”: e. would then read “To be informed of any activities, work or decisions of the organization; and”
Rationale: This section of Article V. informs the members of their rights and obligations in a positive manner. Deleting these words does not prevent a member from disagreeing with an activity, work or decision of the organization and proposing something different.
Article VII. Officers – Beginning paragraph – line 3-4 – after the sentence “Officers are representatives of the membership and shall be elected by them.” Insert “The membership may elect co-officers and/or co-conveners for any of the above.”
Rationale: This allows the organization flexibility and more leadership in positions.
Article VIII. Board of Directors and Committees – 1. Insert before the last sentence in paragraph “Co-officers and co-conveners have just one vote between them on the Board of Directors and are counted as a single member when establishing the quorum.”
Rationale: There is only one position, either officer or convener, but it could be shared by two people. The position only has one vote.
Article VIII. Board of Directors and Committees – 2. Insert a new “2. The president may appoint a WG-USA member as an Advisor to the Board. The Advisor shall have voice, but no vote and shall not be counted in the Board of Directors quorum.” The present 2.will be renumbered 3.
Rationale: This gives the president the opportunity to seek additional help and/or advise , but does not require that she use a past president for this purpose and it does not increase the size of the Board.
Article X. Meetings 2. Line 3 – strike “officer and” – insert after “Board” the words “of Directors”
Rationale: The Board of Directors includes officers, conveners and Board members-at-large all of whom are elected at the AGM. This makes it clearer who are elected.